Votive relief dedicated to the goddess Artemis Bendis

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The cult of Bendis, Thracian goddess akin to Greek Artemis, was brought into Athens roughly 430 B.C. along with other foreign cults. Here, the goddess is depicted on a grander scale than her mortal devotees. She dons her characteristic Phrygian cap, short tunic, high boots and an animal hide draped over her left shoulder. The men may be athletes who competed in the torch relay race as tribute to the goddess.